Sometimes the most simple books can have a big impact, which is why we are spotlighting Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back on the blog this week. While the actual text is simple, there is so much to discuss within this story. Klassen forces the reader to infer and make assumptions throughout the story, all with a touch of humour. We love this read because there are various discussion topics and many lessons to be taught. Children will love the humor throughout the book and enjoy the illustrations. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen, tells the story of a bear who lost his hat. He loves his hat and desperately wants it back. He asks several other animals in the forest if they have seen it. Unfortunately, they haven’t. Bear even asks a rabbit wearing a red hat if they’ve seen his hat, and the rabbit gets very angry.
After asking the animals, the bear is so sad that no one has seen his hat, that he lays down on the ground. A helpful deer approaches and asks the bear what his hat looks like. As bear describes his hat, he realizes that he has seen it! He runs back to the rabbit and takes his beloved hat back.
Students will enjoy reading about the bear’s journey to find his hat!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
With such simple text you will be surprised by how much there is to discuss with this book! The limited text lends itself to lessons on inferring and really pushes readers to analyze the author’s work. I Want My Hat Back is also a great resource if you are looking for a book for social emotional learning lessons because there are so many skills to discuss.
- Readers are left to make inferences about many of the characters’ actions and events that unfold throughout the story. Use this as an opportunity to teach young readers inferencing skills.
- Klassen’s illustrations are simple yet hold a lot of meaning. Teachers can help students to analyze the hidden meanings the pictures hold.
- This story is one that students can easily relate to, making it a great opportunity to write about similar events in their own lives.
- Teach students to formulate opinions and back it up with reasons to support it.
- The straightforward text serves as a great way to teach students types of sentences.
- There are so many social emotional skills to teach with this book. Discuss with students the importance of taking ownership, empathy and compassion.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
As a teacher, it is always a challenge to find cute, student friendly resources that accompany a book. I always end up taking the time to try and make them myself when I can’t find anything online. You won’t need to do that with I Want My Hat Back, thanks to the Starts With a Story Book Companion. Don’t recreate the wheel, we made it for you!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
- Mother Bruce by Ryan T Higgins
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
